Martin Warnas – Dutch/English voice-over

This gorgeous animation in shown to all visitors in the welcome centre. I am very proud to have been asked to voice this one, which I also recorded in Dutch.

I usually record from home, but in this case I was asked to come to a studio, so that the animator, writer and director could all be present. I’m happy to do this, but I do charge a higher rate if I have to come to a studio: typically around €300-400 per session (4 hours, which yields about 3 hours of audio), but it also depends on the project: a video that will only be seen once by a small audience won’t cost as much as something that might run for years.

In general I’d recommend letting me record at home. I’ve been doing this for more than two decades and I know what customers like. But on the other hand: if I come to a studio I don’t have to edit the result and people fetch cups of tea for me. That’s nice, too!

I voice a lot of these types of video. My voice is well-suited for serious, information heavy videos for professional audiences. Even though I am a native Dutch speaker, I am often overlooked for the Dutch voice-over, as producers who find my voice in one of the voice-casting agency databases have trouble believing I also speak Dutch.

As I am usually the last one to see the script, I make sure to double-check every line. Sometimes I find lines that I think could be improved and record both the scripted version and my own suggestion. It is then up to the editor or producer to decide which one to pick.

A video like this, 4.5 minutes with an average of 140 words per minute, will cost around € 225 excl. sales tax (21% for Dutch customers) and it will be an all-in price: as many retakes and fixes as are required and a complete buy-out: play it as often as you like for the original purpose. Turn-around is typically less than 24 hours.

To calculate the rate of your script, please use my webbased calculator.

Avery Graphics are a very big graphics design and production company. They also design, print and apply those wonderful and colorful advertising stickers you see on so many corporate vehicles these days. That’s actually a pretty complicated job! (I myself can’t even get a stamp on an envelope properly aligned…)

They provide in-house training to their staff, for which I’ve voiced a number of videos. Below is an instruction video for car wrapping.

Recording this one was easy: I recorded a draft version, so the editor could time the video. Then I recorded it properly (which meant replacing only a few segments, though I’d have been happy to do it again from scratch if needed) and it timed perfectly.

Production was handled by Wouter Goudswaard of B-Creative.

For Mastervolt I recorded this video, to explain their remote control systems for onboard electronics. We didn’t shoot it on board my own yacht, because… well, I don’t have one. Yet. But I do have the right accent to go with such high-class, quality services, don’t I? 😉

I recorded the audio at home, music was added by the editor. No retakes were needed, but I’d have been happy to do them.

(Note: voice-over starts at 66 seconds.)

The video was produced by Kristel van der Velde, whom I can recommend to anyone who needs to have a video produced. We’ve also worked together for many Kverneland videos.

Download free general usage audio messages here. Anything from evacuation alerts and warnings to a friendly request to switch off cellphones.

Listen to a preview (low quality) of the voice recording

Get the cuesheet (all the texts) here: download PDF.

Recordings in this file are:

– Stand by
– Remain seated
– Help is on the way
– Do not panic
– Please exit in an orderly fashion
– Please remain calm and exit now
– Evacuate this area now / Leave this area now
– Mind the gap
– Mind your step
– Mind your head
– Please follow the safety instructions
– Please switch off all mobile devices now
– Please turn of your phone now
– Ladies and Gentlemen: we are about to begin. Please make your way to your seat and remember to switch off your phone. Thank you!

Click here to download the high quality version of this file.

Granted, you probably won’t need a Dutch voice-over all that often. But you may need one who speaks both English AND Dutch. Or maybe German? Whatever your needs are, you’ll be glad you found this website.

You see, it’s all about YOU here. YOUR assigment needs to be done quickly, affordably and professionally. Sure, like all the other voice-overs you’ve ever met, I too am desperately seeking validation and am using this as an excuse for a failed acting career. But the difference is I won’t bother you with all that! Isn’t that great?

So here’s what to do: three easy steps.

1. Get a quote and a free demo. No obligations!

2. Send me the text

3. Go out, get a coffee, maybe go see a movie. Whatever you like. Because your part of the job is done!

Before we proceed

Sorry to trouble you with this, but there are a few things you need to know:

1. I am based in The Netherlands. For non-Dutch orders, I’m afraid I will require a downpayment or prepayment. I have a verified business account with Paypal, which means they have checked to see that I run a legitimate business in The Netherlands. I could also send you a copy of my registration with the Dutch chamber of commerce but… that’s in Dutch. Still, I’d be happy to provide that. There are also several companies that would be quite willing to provide a reference. Amongst them are Black Box Studios, Playnetic and the ‘Huissier de justice’ (bailiff, to you and me) I use as my debt collection agent, deurwaarderskantoor Haarlemmermeer.

It’s not as if I don’t trust you because really, I do. But big companies sometimes seem to have a lot of trouble with small invoices and it’s not as if I’ll start an international lawsuit for a few hundred bucks.

2. I accept international payments via Paypal only. I know there are a ton of payment services out there, but I happen to use Paypal. I’m affordable because I keep things simple at my end.

3. I stand by my work. Your satisfaction is guaranteed. However, I do ask that you make any claims within 1 businessday after having received my work (unless we work something out, for instance when the assignment is rather big or you’re on vacation). Also, if I have provided a custom demo, the argument that my voice isn’t suitable really doesn’t fly.

4. Prices quoted are in Euro. As the Netherlands is a Euro-country, that means the exchange rate is my problem. That’s why I require payment in advance or within 14 days (including non-business days).

5. The buy-out is included in the price, but you can’t, for instance, cut a tagline for a radiocommercial from something I recorded as a corporate video. The buy-out only applies to the stated purpose of the recording. You may also want to read how a typical voice-over assignment is handled, if you’re new to this.